The Eurozone recorded a robust trade surplus of €24 billion in February 2025, the highest monthly figure since December 2020, underscoring the bloc’s growing export strength despite global economic uncertainty. This marked an improvement from a revised €21.7 billion surplus in the same month last year, fueled by a strong rise in outbound shipments.
Eurozone trade surplus widest in over four years
Exports climbed 6.2% year-over-year to €249 billion, led by gains in pharmaceuticals, food products, and refined goods. Imports also increased, but at a slightly slower pace of 5.7%, totaling €225 billion, reflecting resilient consumer and industrial demand within the bloc.
At the EU-wide level, the trade surplus widened to €23 billion from €21.8 billion in February 2024. Export growth of 7% brought total shipments to €225.4 billion, with chemicals and related products standing out after a sharp 36% year-on-year surge—likely benefiting from supply chain shifts and increased global demand for medical and biotech materials. However, not all sectors fared equally: exports of machinery and vehicles fell by 1.9%, while energy exports declined 7.7%, a possible consequence of easing energy prices and reduced external demand.
Export performance was mixed
Geographically, export performance was mixed. Sales to Switzerland surged by 34.8%, while exports to the U.S. rose 22.4%, supported by a stronger dollar and improved transatlantic trade ties. Exports to China, however, edged down by 0.2%, as weaker-than-expected recovery and ongoing trade tensions weighed on demand.
On the import side, volumes reached €202.4 billion, up 7.2% year-over-year. The increase was led by higher purchases of food and beverages (18.3%), chemicals (16.1%), other manufactured goods (7.5%), and machinery and vehicles (4.6%). Notably, imports from South Korea soared 21%, followed by China at 13.3% and Switzerland at 12.5%, highlighting continued integration with key Asian and European trade partners.
Despite challenges such as global supply chain realignments, inflation, and geopolitical friction, February’s strong trade performance signals that the Eurozone remains a competitive player in global trade—especially in high-value-added sectors like pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Going forward, policymakers are likely to monitor how shifts in global demand, energy dynamics, and trade policy affect these encouraging trends.
